The NBA trade deadline last Thursday reconfigured plenty of rosters around the league, including that of the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup that no longer has the pair of Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. Both players were traded to the Cleveland Cavalier for the veteran duo of Channing Frye and Isaiah Thomas along with a 2018 first-round pick.

For Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma, however, adjusting to his teammates is not as big of a challenge as getting familiar in an environment without two of his closest friends.

Via ESPN Los Angeles:

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Kyle Kuzma has rapidly become one of the Lakers’ most potent offensive weapon. That could be partly attributed to a cozy workplace that had the likes of Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., fellow young guys who could easily relate to Kuzma. With those guys around him, Kuzma quickly adapted to the ways of the pro league, allowing him to blossom on the court. So far this season, Kyle Kuzma is averaging 15.7 points and 5.9 rebounds, while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 36.2 percent from the three-point area.

Although Clarkson and Nance are now gone in Los Angeles, Kuzma now has the very experienced tandem of Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye to learn from.

The Lakers are currently sitting on the 11th spot in the Western Conference standings with a 23-32 record, but they could still make a serious push for the playoffs with a strong second half this season. That will depend on how fast the shiny new Lakers unit will develop chemistry.